Valve and pump assembly for closing and irrigating fluid drainage tube in suction apparatus



3,044,466 TING July 1.7, 1962 s. A. HENDERSON VALVE AND PUMP ASSEMBLY FOR CLOSING AND IRRIGA FLUID DRAINAGE TUBE IN SUCTION APPARATUS Filed Dec. 25, 1960 mmwg wTr w fi A ATTORNEYE 3,044,466 VALVE AND PUMP ASSEMBLY FOR CLOSING AND IRRIGATING FLUID DAGE TUBE IN SUCTION APPARATUS Stanford A. Henderson, Snyder, N .Y., assignor to Gomco Surgical Manufacturing Corp., Buffalo, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Dec. 23, 1%0. Ser. No. 77,908 16 Claims. (Cl. 128-276) vomiting. A type of suction apparatus widely used because of its effectiveness for such purpose is known as a thermotie drainage pump and is described in detail in US. Patent Nos. 2,346,841 and 2,465,685.

In this suction apparatus, as in others, it is necessary to employ a flexible fluid drainage tube which is connected to the usual drainage bottle at one end and is provided with a series of holes in its other end, which perforated end is inserted into the patients alimentary tract in the usual manner. Oftentimes, these holes become plugged with 'mucus, thereby substantially reducing or even destroying the effectiveness of the suction apparatus. Thus, it becomes necessary to periodically irrigate the drainage tube by forcing water or other suitable fluid back through the tube and thereby clear the openings.

The standard procedure for doing this requires shutting off the suction apparatus and then inserting a syringe in a Y-arm provided in the drainage tube upstream of the drainage bottle, care being taken to measure the amount of water being forced back, to avoid injuring the patient. The principal disadvantage of this procedure is that it requires a considerable amount of time and effort to stop the suction, irrigate the drainage tube and start the suction once again. Furthermore, to insure proper and continuous operation of the suction apparatus, the drainage tube should be flushed out about every two hours. However, because of the heavy demands upon the hospital nurses who usually perform this function, it

has become more or less general practice to perfornr this irrigation procedure only once about every eight hours. This lack of care is harmful to the patient, and if the drainage tube is left too long in a plugged condition, it cannot be unplugged by such irrigation procedure, thereby requiring removal and replacement of the tube, which further adds to the'patients discomfort.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an new and improved valve and pump assembly which is so constructed and designed as to simplify the standard irrigation procedure by eliminating the need for shutting off and restarting the suction apparatus, as well as the use of a syringe and the measuring of the amount of water employed for flushing out the drain age tube, thereby facilitating proper and continuous operation of the suction apparatus as Well as proper care of the patient.

Another object is to provide such a valve and pump assembly which upon actuation closes a portion of the drainage tube and properly irrigates the drainage tube upstream of the closed portion, and upon deactuation automatically opens the drainage tube, all without shutting ofl the suction pump.

atent Patented July 17, 19 52 disconnected from the drainage tube, and which can also remain so connected thereto without interfering with the normal drainage function thereof.

Another object is to provide such a valve and pump assembly which is simple, rugged and compact in construction, and most effective in operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of suction apparatus including an electrically operated thermotic pump, a suction line connecting the pump to a smaller trap bottle and a larger drainage bottle, a by-pass line connecting the pump to a device for preventing overflow of the drainage bottle and flooding of the pump, a fluid drainage line leading from the patient (not shown) to the drainage bottle, and a preferred embodiment of. the inventive valve and pump assembly which is connected to the drainage tube;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the inventive valve and pump assembly taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1 and illustrating the manually operated pump plunger in a depressed position at the start of its outward or suction stroke and the valve plunger in an elevated position opening the drainage tube, during charging of the pumpwith irrigating fluid;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but illustrates the pump plunger in an elevated position during its inward or compression stroke, and the valve plunger in a depressed position closing a portion of drainage tube during irrigation of the drainage tube upstream of the closed ofl portion;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 2, and illustrates the open position of the poppet valve in the valve piston during charging of the pump with irrigating fluid;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional View taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 3 and illustrates the open position of the poppet valve in the valve piston during irrigation of the drainage tube;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIGS. 4 and 5, but illustrates the closed position of the poppet valve during automatic. opening of the drainage tube closing valve following release of the pump plunger, as Well as during the initial closing of such valve prior to reaching the position illustrated in FIG. 3, and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary section taken on line 77 of FIG. 6 and illustrates the spider stop for limiting the opening movement of the poppet valve in the drainage tube closing valve piston.

INTRODUCTION Referring to the drawing, and particularly FIG. 1, there is shown therein a typical suction apparatus incorporating the invention. This apparatus preferably includes a thermotic suction pump generally indicated at 10, and closed receptacles preferably in the form of a fluid drainage bottle 11 and a trap bottle 12. The pump 10 is connected to the trap bottle 12 and the latter is in turn connected to the drainage bottle 11 by means of a suction line' or tube generally indicated at 13. The drainage bottle 11 is supported by a device for preventing flooding of the suction line 13, which device isgenerally indicated at 14 and is connected to pump 10 by a by-pass line or tube generally indicated at 15. This apparatus also includes a fluid drainage line or tube 1'6 and the inventive valve and pump assembly generally indicated at 17, for closing a portion of the drainage line 16 and irrigating this line upstream of the closed off portion.

In general, the thermotic pump 10 provides a gentle snags V ao-saaee 3 suction, with on and off periods of short duration, thereby exhausting suction line 13. and causing fluids from the patient (not shown) tobe: drained through the drainage line 16 into the drainage bottle 11. The trap bottle 12 serves as a safety device so that in the event the drainage bottle 11 is tipped when being emptied, any fluid entering suction line 13 will be deposited within the trap bottle 7 and not enter the pump 10. Likewise, the device 14 is also designed to prevent flooding of the suction line 13 and pump 10, as when the weight and contents of the drainage bottle 11 exceed a predetermined amount, the by-pass line 15 is opened to the atmosphere and thus causes the pump 10 to draw in air through the by-pass line 14, rather than fluid through the suction line 13.

The inventive valve and pump assembly 17 is designed to provide an efifective and efficient means for closing oif the drainage line 16 and irrigating the same, without requiring the pump 10 to be shut off, In addition, the assembly 17 is designed to remain connected with the drainage line 16, without interfering with its function.

THERMOTIC PUMP Basically, pump 16 includes a cylinder 18 having end heads 19 and 20 forming a working chamber 21. The end head 19 is shown as having an inlet valve housing 22 provided with a port 23 connected to suction line 13 and containing an inlet check valve 24 for establishing communication between the suction line 13 and working chamber 21. In addition, the end head 19 also has an outlet valve housingZS provided with an outlet port 26 opening to the atmosphere and containing an outlet check valve 27 for establishing communication between working chamber 21 and the atmosphere. Further, end head 19;, is provided with a by-pass port 28 connecting the working chamber 21 with the by-pass line 15.

With the apparatus as above described, it will be seen that upon heating the air in the working chamber 21, this air will be expanded and forced out through the outlet valve housing to the atmosphere. Upon then allowing the air in the working chamber 21 to cool, its contraction on cooling will draw air from the drainage bottle 11 and trap bottle 12 through suction line' 13 and inlet valve housing 22 into the chamber 21 of cylinder 18. Suction and pressure producing periods are thereby provided, and while the pump is primarily designed to develop suction, it will be apparent that it can also be employed to develop positive pressure as well- The dissipation of the heat from the air in the working chamber 21 is efiected by conduction through the walls of the cylinder 18 and the heating of the air in the worlc'ng chamber 21 is effected by an electrical heating element in the form of the resistance heating wire or filament 30. The terminals of this resistance heating wire or filament 30 are shown as extending through insulators 31 and 32 in the end head 20 to a 110 volt A.C. circuit generally indicated at 40. This circuit is alternately closed and opened, as set forth in the aforesaid patents, for alternately energizing and deenergizing the resistance heating wire or filament 30 to provide the gentle intermittent suction desired in draining fluids from the human body, During such drainage, the liquid matter drawn out of drainage line 16 is trapped in drainage bottle 11, while the air or other gas formerly entrained in such liquid matter passes through suction line 13 to supply pump SUCTION LINE 13 The section of suction line 13 connecting pump 10 with trap bottle 12 includes an elongated rubber tube portion 50 one end of which fits over the inlet port 23 on pump 10, and the other end of which fits over a glass elbow tube 51 passing tightly through the rubber stopper 52 in the neck of trap bottle 12. The section of line 13 connecting trap bottle 12 with drainage bottle 11 in turn includes a glass elbow tube 53 passing tightly through stopper 52, an elongated rubber tube portion 54- and a glass elbow 55 passing tightly through the rubber stopper 56 in the neck of drainage bottle 11.

FLOOD PREVENTIVE DEVICE The device 14 for preventing flooding of the suction line 13 and pump 10 is preferably of the type disclosed in US. Patent No. 2,654,557, and to which reference is made for a more detailed description. In general, this device comprises a stationary valve body member 60 having a port 61 protruding below its lower face and which port vents to the atmosphere and is connected to the bypass line 15, and a vertically movable valve closure member 62 associated with the drainage bottle 11 and normally closing the port 61.

The valve body member 60 is shown as having at its upper end an outstanding radial flange 63 suitably supported by a rigid supporting shelf 64 or the like of a portable cabinet (not shown) for housing the various elements of the suction apparatus. The port 61 fits in one end of passage 65 and a port 66 fits in the other end of the passage. Over port 66 is fitted one end of an elongated rubber tube portion 67, the opposite end of which fits over port 28 on pump 16* to complete the by-pass line '15.

The valve closure member 60 is actuated by the weight of the drainage bottle 11 and its contents. For this purpose, the bottle 11 is shown as resting on a platform 68 having upstanding bottle centering fingers 68a and arranged on the upper end of a vertical rod or post 69 which passes freely through a bore 70 in valve body 6%) and is connected at its lower end to the valve closure member 62 by a jam nut 71. The valve closure member 62 is resiliently biased upwardly to close port 61 by a compression spring 72 surrounding rod 69 and arranged in a counterbore 73 provided in valve body 60. Thus, when the weight and contents of bottle 11 reach a predetermined value the port 61 is opened to the atmosphere, thereby by-passing suction line 13 and drainage line 16 to supply pump 10 and stop the fluid drainage fromthe patient. The hissing sound of air rushing into port 61 notifies the attendant that the bottle 11 should be emp tied,.and even if this is not taken care of immediately, no flooding of suction line 13 and pump 10 will occur.

FLUID DRAINAGE LINE The fluid drainage line 16 includes a standard glass elbow which fits tightly through the stopper 56 in the neck of drainage bottle 11 and an elongated rubber tube portion 81, one end of which fits over the outer end of elbow 86, the tube 81 passing through the valve and pump assembly 17. This tube portion 81, at its other end, fits over one of the bifurcated legs of the glass Y- connection pipe 82, and another rubber tube portion 83 fits over the other bifurcated leg of the m -connection pipe 82. As will be explained more in detail below, the

opposite end of the rubber tube portion 83 is connected to the valve and pump assembly 17. The fluid drainage line 16 is completed by a third elongated rubber tube portion 84, one end of which fits over the single leg of the Y-connection pipe 82, and the other end of which is provided with a series of inlet openings 85, this end being inserted into the patient (not shown).

VALVE AND PUMP ASSEMBLY Continuing with FIG. 1, the inventive valve and pump assembly 17 includes a pump section 90, and a valve section 91, and preferably also includes a reservoir section 92. As will be pointed out in greater detail below, the reservoir section 92 is preferably included as a part of the inventive valve and pump assembly, but this section may be dispensed with if desired. In the preferred construction, the pump section is suspended from be neath the top 93 of the cabinet not shown) which houses the various components of the suction apparatus.

Pump Section cylinder 94 which is closed at its upper end by means of a head 95. This head 95 is provided with an outstanding radial flange portion 96 which abuts against the underside of the top 93 of the cabinet (not shown) and is held in place by means of the screws 97 passing down through cabinet top 93 and flange portion 96. The head 95 has a central through bore 98 and the top 93 is likewise provided with a registering hole 100 to permit reciprocation of the pump actuating plunger 101. This plunger has at its upper end a knob or handle 102, and at its lower end a reduced, externally threaded portion 103 which is screwed into the internally threaded pump piston 104 and is held in place by means of a lock nut 105. The threaded portion 103 of the pump plunger 101 terminates in a further reduced projection 106 depending below pump piston 104, and the purpose of which projection will be described below.

The pump piston 104 is provided with an annular peripheral groove 107 in which is arranged a rubber piston ring 108 to insure a fluid tight seal between the piston and the inner surface of the cylinder 94 which forms the elongated pump chamber 110, as the piston 104 reciprocates therein. At its lower end, the cylinder 94 is provided with a counterbore forming an enlarged valve chamber 111 which is of lesser axial extent than pump chamber 110 and which is in communication with the pump chamber.

Valve Section The valve section 91, which is also preferably composed of metal parts, includes a generally cylindrical valve body 112 which is preferably of cruciform shape in cross section and is provided with an upper reduced end portion 112a fitting snugly within and closing valve chamber 111 of cylinder 94. Portion 112a is provided with an annular peripheral groove 113 in which fits a rubber ring 114 for maintaining a fluid tight seal with cylinder 94.

The valve body 112 is provided with a central transverse through bore 115 which receives the portion of drainage tube 81 to be closed 011 and a central longitudinal valve bore 116 which connects transverse bore 115 with the interior of valve chamber 111. A valve piston 117 is reciprocable within chamber 111 and is provided with an annular peripheral groove 118 in which fits a rubber ring 120 for maintaining a fluid tight seal between the piston 117 and the wall of chamber 111 during reciprocation of the piston.

The valve piston 117 is provided with an internally threaded, central through bore 121 which receives the reduced externally threaded upper end 122 of an elongated and generally cylindrical gate or plunger 123, this plunger being reciprocable within longitudinal bore 116 in valve body 112 and forming with piston 117 a valve closure for closing and opening the tube portion 81. The plunger 123 in turn is provided with an outstanding pin 124, which pin rides in a longitudinal groove 125 provided in the portion of valve body 112 forming bore 116 in order to prevent the gate 123 and piston 117 from rotating relative to cylinder 94 and valve body 112. At its lower end, the gate 123 is rounded off to provide a substantially semi-spherical nose 126 for collapsing tube portion 81 without injuring the same, and for avoiding contact with the corrosive fluids in tube portion 81.

The valve piston 117 and plunger 123 are provided with means for normally biasing the gate away from tube portion 81 so that there will be no interference with the function of the drainage line 16 when the pump and valve assembly 17 is not being operated. This means preferably takes the form of a compression spring 127 surrounding gate 123 and arranged within a counterbore 128 enlarging the longitudinal bore 116 in valve body 112. The upper end of spring 127 bears against the underside of valve piston 117 and the lower end of this spring bears against a sealing ring 130 arranged at the bottom of the counterbore 128 for preventing leakage of fluid into longitudinal bore 116. I

The valve piston 117 is also provided with a radially olfset, through bore 131, forming a port communicating with the pump chamber 110 and valve chamber 111, as best seen in FIGS. 4-6, and this bore receives a poppet valve 132 which is freely reciprocable therein. This poppet valve is composed of a frusto-conical portion made up of radially disposed vanes 133 which terminate at their upper widest ends in an enlarged, button-shaped head 134. As shown in FIG; 6, head 134 is engageable with-the upper surface of valve piston 117 when the poppet valve 132 is closed. The poppet valve also includes an elongated and generally cylindrical stem 135 extending from the narrow ends of vanes 133, the lower end ofthis stem being engageable with the upper face of the reduced portion 112a of valve body 112 when the poppet valve 132 is open and the valve piston 117 is at its lowermost position, as shown in FIG. 5. The poppet valve 132 is completed by a Y-shaped spider 136, as shown in FIG. 7, which spider 136 is spaced slightly inwardly from the lower end of stem 135 and is adapted to engage the underside of valve piston 117 for limiting the opening movement of the poppet valve, as shown in both FIGS. 4 and 5.

Referring once again to FIGS. 2 and 3, valve body 112 is further provided with a longitudinal through passage 137 which is enlarged at its inner end by means of a counterbore 138, this counterbore forming in effect an inlet check valve body in which reciprocates a ball check valve 140. When closed, the ball valve rests upon a tapered valve seat 141 formed at the juncture of counterbore 138 and passage 137. The ball valve 140 is normally biased to the closed position by means of a compression spring 142 arranged within counterbore 138, and the biasing force of this spring is adjusted by means of a hollow, externally threaded plug 143 screwed into the internally threaded upper end of counterbore 138.

The inlet passage 137 is also enlarged at its lower end by means of another counterbore 144 which is internally threaded for receiving the externally threaded reduced inner end 145 of a hexagonal inlet fitting 146, this fitting being provided with a central through bore 147 registering with counterbore 144 and passage 137 and an outwardly tapered, stepped nipple 148 for connection to a source of irrigating fluid, as will be explained below.

The valve body 112 is also provided with still another longitudinal bore 150 which communicates at its upper end with the interior of valve chamber 111 and at its lower end with a transverse bore 151, these bores forming an outlet passage. This outlet passage is enlarged at its outer end by means of an internally threaded counterbore 152 for receiving the reduced, externally threaded inner end 153 of a hexagonal male fitting 154. This fitting 154 actually forms an outlet check valve body and for this purpose is provided with a central through bore 155 terminating at its inner end at a reduced valve seat 156. A ball check valve 157 is arranged for reciprocation in bore 155 and is normally biased to the closed position against valve seat 156 by means of a compression spring 158 arranged in bore 155.

bears against the washer 163. Fitting 162 is also provided with an outwardly tapered, stepped nipple 164 and a through bore 165 which-communicates with bores 155 and 151, thereby completing the connection between the interior of valve chamber 111 and the rubber tube. portion 83 of fluid drainage line 16 which is spread over nipple portion 164 on fitting 162.

Reservoir Section Continuing with FIGS. 2 and 3, the reservoir section 92 isprefera-bly composed of an elongated and generally cylindrical glass container 166 which is closed at its lower end and is provided with an internally threaded neck 167 at its upper end. This neck 167 is screwed over the in the event it were desired merely to use air as the irrigating fluid. In such an instance, the inlet valve fitting 146 would communicate with the atmosphere.

OPERATION Referring back to FIG. 1, it will be assumed that the thermotic suction pump 10 is operating continuously to provide the desired intermittent, gentle suction, and that the drainage tube portion 84 of drainage line 16 is inserted into thet patient for drawing fluid. It will be further assumed that after a period of operation, the holes 85 in drainage tube 84 become clogged and that the drainage line 16 is no longer providing its proper function. It is then but a simple matter for the nurse or other attendant to grasp the handle 102 of pump plunger 101, raise it to its uppermost position, thereby changing the assembly 17 with irrigating fluid. Then, by merely depressing the plunger 101, the inventive assembly operates to close tube portion 81 and to simultaneously force back fluid through the tube portion 83 upstream of the closed tube portion 81, and thereby automatically irrigate and clean out the holes 85 in the tube portion 84 with a predetermined amount of irrigating fluid.

11% of valve,

Referring now to FIG. 2, this procedure will be described more in detail. As shown in this figure, the pump piston 104'is spaced from the valve piston 117 by means of the projection 106, and the valve piston 117 is in its elevated position atthe upper end of valve chamber 111 because of the action of spring 127. Thus,

the drainage tube portion 81 is open and irrigating fluid is present within valve chamber 111 between pump piston 104 and. the valve piston 117. As the operator grasps handle 102 and raises the pump plunger 181 in the direction of the arrow, suction is created below the pump piston 104 and this causes the poppet valve 132 to be raised and opened,as shown in FIG. 4. In addition,

I this suction draws the inlet ball check valve 140i away from its seat 141 in counterbore 138 against the action of compression spring 142. As a result, fluid is drawn up from the reservoir container 166 through the inlet tube 168, inlet passage 137, valve chamber 111, and port 131 in valve piston 117 into pump chamber 110, until the pump piston 104 reaches its uppermost position (not shown) adjacent cylinder head 95.

Then, when the operator depresses handle 102, the pump piston 104 begins its downward or compression stroke, as shown in FIG. 3, whereby the valve piston 117 is forced downwardly by the pressure of' the irrigating fluid above it, this same pressure maintaining the poppet valve 132 closed, as shown in FIG. 6. At the same time,

the fluid which was previously within valve chamber 111 below valve piston 117 is forced down through outlet passage 150, 151 in valve body 112, therebyopening outlet ball check valve 157. As the pump piston 104 continues its compression stroke, the valve piston 117 reaches its lowermost position, as shown in FIG. 3, at which time the depending valve plunger 123 has completely collapsed the drainage tube portion 81, and as shown in FIG. 5, the lower end of poppet valve stem engages the upper face of the upper portion 112:: of valve body 112. Thus, the fluid above valve piston 117 is forced from pump chamber 110 through the open poppet valve 132, valve chamber 111 (between the valve piston 117 and the upper portion 112:: of valve body 112), and outlet passage 150, 151 to maintain the outlet check valve 157 in the open position.

As will be apparent, the closing of tube portion 81 and irrigation of line 16 occur substantially simultaneously, with the result that the irrigating fluid is forced back through the drainage tube portion 83, Y-connection pipe 82 and tube portion 84, to flush out the holes 85, as shown in FIG. 1. Furthermore, the size of the pump cylinder 94 can be readily determined ahead of time, considering the volume of irrigating fluid to be taken up by the line 16 upstream of tube portion 81 and the volume desired to be forced back into the patient, so that each time the drainage line 16 is irrigated a predetermined, measured amount of fluid will be forced back, without exceeding a safe amount, and thereby avoiding injury to the patient.

At this point, the operator has completed the desired irrigation of the drainage line 16 in a quick, simple and effective manner, and all this has been accomplished without the necessity for shutting off the suction pump 10.

At the completion of the compression stroke of pump piston 1134, handle 162 is released, and the spring 127 automatically forces the plunger 123, valve piston 117 and pump piston 1M upwardly to the position shown in FIG. 2. Thus, the resilient tube portion 81 is permitted to recover, and the open drainage line 116 continues its function as before. At the same time, suction is created below the vaive piston 117 to open inlet check valve and fill valve chamber 111 with irrigating fluid. Because of the projection 1116 on pump plunger 101, there will always be a space between the pump piston and the valve piston so that the irrigating fluid will remain in this space. As the valve piston 117 is automatically elevated to the position of FIG. 2, the pressure of the fluid above the valve piston will keep the poppet valve 132 closed, as shown in FIG. 6, to facilitate the entry of the irrigating fluid into valve chamber 111. The valve and pump assembly 17 is now ready to be charged and operated once again for closing and irrigating the drainage line 16 as described above.

It will now be seen how the invention accomplishes its various objects, and the numerous advantages of the invention will likewise be apparent. Moreover, while the invention has been described with reference to a single, preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of which is to be determined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In suction apparatus including a closed receptacle and a fluid drainage tube communicating with the interior of said receptacle, the combination therewith of a valve and pump assembly for closing a portion of said tube and irrigating said tube upstream of said tube portion, said assembly comprising hollow pump body means containing irrigating fluid and having its interior connected with the interior of said tube upstream of said tube portion, valve body means associated with said pump body means and receiving said tube portion, valve closure means movable relative to said valve body means for 9 closing and opening said tube portion, and pump actuating means movable in said pump body means for moving said valve closure means to close said tube portion and for forcing irrigating fluid from said pump body means into said tube upstream of said tube portion.

2. In suction apparatus including a closed receptacle and a fluid drainage tube communicating with the interior of said receptacle, the combination therewith of a selfopening valve and pump assembly for closing a portion of said tube and irrigating said tube upstream of said tube portion, and for automatically opening said tube portion following irrigation of said tube, said assembly comprising hollow pump body means containing irrigating fluid and having its interior connected with the interior of said tube upstream of said tube portion, valve body means associated with said pump body means and receiving said tube portion, valve closure means movable relative to said valve body means for closing and opening said tube portion, pump actuating means movable in said body means for moving said valve closure means to close said tube portion and for forcing irrigating fluid from said pump body means into said tube upstream of said tube portion, and means for automatically moving said valve closure means to open said tube portion following irrigation of said tube.

3. In suction apparatus including a closed receptacle and a fluid drainage tube communicating with the interior of said receptacle, the combination therewith of a valve and pump assembly for closing a portion of said tube and irrigating said tube upstream of said tube portion, said assembly comprising hollow pump body means containing irrigating fluid, valve body means associated with said pump body means and receiving said tube portion and having a passage connecting the interior of said pump body means with the interior of said tube upstream of said tube portion, valve closure means movable relative to said valve body means in one direction for closing said tube portion and opening said passage and movable in another direction for opening said tube portion, and pump actuating means movable in said pump body means for moving said valve closure means in said one direct-ion and for forcing irrigating fluid from said pump body means through said passage into said tube upstream of said tube portion.

4. In suction apparatus including a closed receptacle and a fluid drainage tube communicating with the interior of said receptacle, the combination therewith of a selfopening valve and pump assembly for closing a portion of said tube and irrigating said tube upstream of said tube portion, and for automatically opening said tube portion following irrigation of said tube, said assembly comprising hollow pump body means containing irrigating fluid, valve body means associated With said pump body means and receiving said tube portion and having a passage connecting the interior of said pump body means with the interior of said tube upstream of said tube portion, valve closure means movable relative to said valve body means in one direction for closing said tube portion and opening said passage and movable in another direction for opeinng said tube portion, pump actuating means movable in said pump body means for moving said valve closure means in said one direction and for forcing irrigating fluid from said pump body means through said passage into said tube upstream of said tube portion, and means for automatically moving said valve closure means in said other direction followin irrigation of said tube.

5. In suction apparatus including a closed receptacle and a fluid drainage tube communicating with the interior of said receptacle, the combination therewith of a valve and pump assembly for closing a portion of said tube and irrigating said tube upstream of said tube portion, said assembly comp-rising hollow pump body means containing irrigating fluid, valve body means associated with said pump body means and receiving said tube portion and having an inlet and an outlet passage connecting the interior of said pump body means with a source of irrigating fluid and the interior of said tube upstream of said tube portion respectively, valve closure means movable relative to said valve body means in one direction for closing said tube portion and opening said outlet passage and movable in another direction for opening said tube portion, and pump actuating means movable in said pump body means, said pump actuating means being movable one way for moving said valve closure means in said one direction and for forcing irrigating fluid from said pump body means through said outlet passage into said tube upstream of said tube portion, and being movable another Way for opening said inlet passage and drawing irrigating fluid from said source through said inlet passage into said pump body means prior to irrigation of said tube.

6. In suction apparatus including a'closed receptacle and a fluid drainage tube communicating with the interior of said receptacle, the combination therewith of a selfopening valve and pump assembly for closing a portion of said tube and irrigating said tube upstream of said tube portion and for automatically opening said tube portion following irrigation of said tube, said assembly comprising hollow pump body means containing irrigating fluid, valve body means associated with said pump body means and receiving said tube portion and-having an inlet and an outlet passage connecting the interior of said pump body means with a source of irrigating fluid and the interior of said tube upstream of said tube portion respectively, valve closure means movable relative to said valve body means in one direction for closing said tube portion and opening said outlet passage and in another direction for opening said tube portion, pump actuating means movable in said pump body means, said pump actuating means being movable one way for moving said valve closure means in said one direction and for forcing irrigating fluid from said pump body means through said outlet passage into said tube upstream of said tube portion, and being movable another way for opening said inlet passage and drawing irrigating fluid from said source into said pump body means prior to irrigation of said tube, and means associated with said pump body means and valve body means for automatically moving said valve closure means in said other direction to open said tube portion following irrigation of said tube.

7. In suction apparatus including a closed receptacle, separate suction and fluid drainage tubes communicating with the interior of said receptacle, and a suction pump connected with said suction tube, the combination therewith of a valve and pump assembly for closing a portion of said drainage tube and irrigating said drainage tube upstream of said tube portion, said assembly comprising hollow pump body means containing irrigating fluid, valve body means associated with said pump body means and said tube portion and having an inlet and an outlet passage connecting said pump body means with a source of irrigating fluid and the interior of said drainage tube upstream of said tube portion respectively, valve closure means associated with said valve body means and pump body means and having a port connecting said pump body means with said inlet and outlet passages, said valve closure means being movable relative to said valve .body means in one direction for closing said tube portion and opening said outlet passage and port, and being movable in another direction for opening said tube portion and inlet passage and closing said port, and pump actuating means movable in said pump body means, said pump actuating means being movable in said one direction for moving said valve closure means in said one. direction and for forcing irrigating fluid from said pump body means through said port and outlet passage into said drainage tube upstream of said tube portion, and being movable in said other direction for opening said inlet passage and port and drawing irrigating fluid from said source through 1 1 said inlet passage and port into said pump body means prior to irrigation of said drainage tube.

8. In' suction apparatus including a closed receptacle, separate suction and fluid drainage tubes communicating with the interior of said receptacle, and a suction pump connected with said suction tube, the combination therewith of a self-opening valve and pump assembly for'clos ing a portion of said drainage tube and irrigating said drainage tube upstream of said tube portion, and for automatically opening said tube portion following irrigation of said drainage tube, said assembly comprising hollow pump body means containing irrigating fluid, valve body means associated with said pump body means and receiving said tube portion and having an inlet and an outlet passage connecting the interior of said pump body means with a source of irrigating fluid and the interior of said drainage tube upstream of said tube portion respectively, valve closure means associated with said valve body means and pump body means and having a port connecting said pump body means-with said inlet and outlet passages, said valve closure means being movable relative to said valve body means in one direction for closing said tube portion and opening said outlet passage and port, and being movable in another direction for opening said tube portion and inlet passage and closing said port, pump actuating means movable in said pump body means, said pump actuating means being movable in said one direction for moving said valve closure means in said one direction and for forcing irrigating fluid from said pump body means through said port and outlet passage into said drainage tube upstream of said tube portion, and being movable in said other direction for opening said inlet passage and port and drawing irrigating fluid from said source through said inlet passage and port into said pump body means prior to irrigation of said drainage tube, and means associated with said valve body means and valve closure means for automatically moving said valve closure means in said other direction following irrigation of said drainage tube.

9. In suction apparatus including a closed receptacle and a fluid drainage tube communicating with the interior of said receptacle, the combination therewith of a valve and pump assembly for closing a portion of said tube and irrigating said tube upstream of said tube portion, said assembly comprising a tubular pump'body containing irrigating fluid and having its interior connected with the interior of said tube upstream of said tube portion, a valve body closing one end of said pump body and having a through bore receiving said tube portion and a valve bore connecting said through bore with the interior of said pump body, a valve piston reciprocable in said pump body and having a plunger reciprocable in said valve bore for closing and opening said tube portion, and a pump piston reciprocable in said pump body for moving said valve piston and plunger under fluid pressure to close said tube portion and for forcing irrigating fluid from said pump body into said tube upstream'of said tube portion.

10. In suction apparatusincluding a closed receptacle and a fluid drainage tube communicating with the interior of said receptacle, the combination therewith of a selfopening valve and pump assembly for closing a portion of said tube and irrigating said tube upstream of said tube portion, and for automatically opening said tube portion following irrigation of said tube, said assembly comprising a tubular pump body containing irrigating fluid and having its interior connected with the interior of said tube upstream of said tube portion, a valve body closing one end of said pump body and having a through bore receiving said tube portion and a valve bore connecting said through bore with the interior of said pump body, a valve piston reciprocable in said pump body and having a plunger reciprocable in said valve bore for closing and opening said tube portion, a pump piston reciprocable in said pump body for moving said valve piston and plunger under fluid pressure to close said tube portion and for forcing irrigating fluid from said pump body into said tube'upstream of said tube portion, and resilient means engageable with said valve body and valve piston for automatically moving said valve piston and plunger to open said tube portion following irrigation of said tube.

11. In suction apparatus including a closed receptacle and a fluid drainage tube communicating with the interior of said receptacle, the combination therewith of a valve and pump assembly for closing a portion of said tube and for irrigating said tube upstream of said tube portion, said assembly comprising a tubular. pump body containing irrigating fluid, -a valve body closing one end of said pump body and having a through bore receiving said tube portion, a valve bore connecting said through bore with the interior of said pump body, a passage connecting the interior of said pump body with the interior of said tube upstream of said tube portion, and a normally closed check valve arranged in said passage, a valve piston reciprocable in said pump body and having a plunger reciprocable in said valve bore, said valve piston and plunger being movable in one direction for closing said tube portion and opening said check valve and in the opposite direction for opening said tube portion, and a pump piston reciprocable in said pump body for moving said valve piston and plunger under fluid pressure in said one direction and for forcing irrigating fluid from said pump body through said passage into said tube upstream of said tube portion.

12. In suction apparatus including a closed receptacle and a fluid drainage tube communicating with the interior of said receptacle, the combination therewith of a self-opening valve and pump assembly for closing a portion of said tube and irrigating said tube upstream of said tube portion, and for automatically opening said tube portion following irrigation of said tube, said assembly comprising a tubular pump body containing irrigating fluid, a valve body closing one end of said pump body and having a through bore receiving said tube portion, a valve bore connecting said through bore with the interior of said pump body, a passage connecting the interior of said pump body with the interior of said tube upstream of said tube portion, and a normally closed check valve arranged in said passage, a valve piston reciprocable in said pump body and having a plunger reciprocable in said valve bore, said valve piston and plunger being movable in one direction for closing said tube portion and opening said check valve and in the opposite direction for opening said tube portion, a pump piston reciprocable in said pump body for moving said valve piston and plunger under fluid pressure in said one direction and for forcing irrigating fluid from said pump body through said passage into said tube upstream of said tube portion, and resilient means engageable with said valve body and valve piston for automatically moving said valve piston m'd plunger in said opposite direction to open said tube portion following irrigation of said tube.

13'. In suction apparatus including a closed receptacle and a fluid drainage tube communicating with the interior of said receptacle, the combination therewith of a valve and pump assembly for closing a portion of said tube and for irrigating said tube upstream of said tube portion, said assembly comprising a tubular pump body containing irrigating fluid, a valve body closing one end of said pump body and having a through bore receiving said tube portion, a valve bore connecting said through bore with the interior of said pump body, an inlet and outlet passage connecting the interior of said pump body with a source of irrigating fluid and the interior of said tube upstream of said tube portion respectively, and a normally closed check valve arranged in each passage, a valve piston reciprocable in said pump body and having a plunger reciprooable in said valve bore, said valve piston and plunger being movable toward said valve body for closing said tube portion and opening said outlet check valve and away from said valve body for opening 13 said tube portion, and a pump piston reciprocable in said pump body, said pump piston being movable toward said valve body for moving said valve piston and plunger under fluid pressure toward said valve body and for forcing irrigating fluid from said pump body through said outlet passage into said tube upstream of said tube portion, and being movable away from said valve body for opening said inlet check valve and drawing irrigating fluid from said source through said inlet passage into said pump body prior to irrigation of said tube.

14. In suction apparatus including a closed receptacle and a fluid drainage tube communicating with the interior of said receptacle, the combination therewith of a selfopening valve and pump assembly for closing a portion of said tube and irrigating said tube upstream of said tube portion, and for automatically opening said tube portion following irrigation of said tube, said assembly comprising a tubular pump body containing irrigating fluid, a valve body closing one end of said pump body and having a through bore receiving said tube portion, a valve bore connecting said through bore with the interior of said pump body, an inlet and outlet passage connecting the interior of said pump body with a source of irrigating fluid and the interior of said tube upstream of said tube portion respectively, and a normally closed check valve arranged in each passage, a valve piston reciprocable in said pump body and having a plunger reciprocable in said valve bore, said valve piston and plunger being movable toward said valve body for closing said tube portion and opening said outlet check valve and away from said valve body for opening said tube portion, a pump piston reciprocable in said pump body, said pump piston being movable toward said valve body for moving said valve piston and plunger under fluid pressure toward said valve body and for forcing irrigating fluid from said pump body through said outlet passage into said tube upstream of said tube portion, and being movable away from said valve body for opening said inlet check valve and drawing irrigating fluid from said source through said inlet passage into said pump body prior to irrigation of said tube, and resilient means engageable with said valve body and valve piston for automatically moving said valve piston and plunger away from said valve body for opening said tube portion following irrigation of said tube.

15. 'In suction apparatus including a closed receptacle, separate suction and fluid drainage tubes communicating with the interior of said receptacle, and a suction pump connected with said suction tube, the combination therewith of a valve and pump assembly for closing a portion of said drainage tube and irrigating said drainage tube upstream of said tube portion, said assembly comprising an elongated and generally cylindrical tubular pump body containing irrigating fluid and having interconnected pump and valve chambers, a head closing said pump chamber at one end of said pump body, a valve body closing said valve chamber at the other end of said pump body and having -a transverse through bore receiving said tube portion, a longitudinal valve bore connecting said transverse bore with said valve chamber, an inlet and outlet passage connecting said valve chamber with a source of irrigating fluid and the interior of said drainage tube upstream of said tube portion respectively, and a normally closed check valve arranged in each passage, a valve piston reciprocable in said valve chamber and having a port communicating with said pump and valve chambers, a poppet valve reciprocable in said port, and a plunger reciprocable in said valve bore, said valve piston and plunger being movable toward said valve body for closing said tube portion and opening said outlet check valve and poppet valve, and being movable toward said head for opening said tube portion and inlet check valve and closing said poppet valve to draw irrigating fluid into said valve chamber, and a pump piston reciprocable in said pump chamber and having a manually operated actuating plunger reciprocable through said head, said pump piston and plunger being movable toward said valve body for moving said valve piston and plunger under fluid pressure toward said valve body and for forcing irrigating fluid from said pump chamber through said port, valve chamber and outlet passage into said drainage tube upstream of said tube portion, and being movable toward said head for opening said inlet check valve and poppet valve and drawing irrigating fluid from said source through said inlet passage, valve chamber and port into said pump chamber prior to irrigation of said drainage tube.

16. In suction apparatus including a closed receptacle, separate suction and fluid drainage tubes communicating with the interior of said receptacle, and a suction pump connected with said suction tube, the combination therewith of a self-opening valve and pump assembly for closing a portion of said drainage tube and irrigating said drainage tube upstream of said tube portion, and for automatically opening said tube portion following irrigation of said drainage tube, said assembly comprising an elongated and generally cylindrical tubular pump body containing irrigating fluid and having interconnected pump and valve chambers, a head closing said pump chamber at one end of said pump body, a valve body closing said valve chamber at the other end of said pump body and having a transverse through bore receiving said tube portion, a longitudinal valve bore connecting said transverse bore with said valve chamber, an inlet and outlet passage connecting said valve chamber with a source of irrigating fluid and the interior of said drainage tube upstream of said tube portion respectively, and a normally closed check valve arranged in each passage, a valve piston reciprocable in said valve chamber and having a port communicating with said pump and valve chambers, a poppet valve reciprocable in said port, and a plunger reciprocable in said valve bore, said valve piston and plunger being movable toward said valve body for closing said tube portion and opening said outlet check valve and poppet valve, and being movable toward said head for opening said tube portion and inlet check valve and closing said poppet valve to draw irrigating fluid into said valve chamber, a pump piston reciprocable in said pump chamber and having a manually operated actuating plunger reciprocable through said head, said pump piston and plunger being movable toward said valve body for moving said valve piston and plunger under fluid pressure toward said valve body and for forcing irrigating fluid from said pump chamber through said port, valve chamber and outlet passage into said drainage tube upstream of said tube portion, and being movable toward said head for opening said inlet check valve and poppet valve and drawing irrigating fluid from said source through said inlet passage, valve chamber and port into said pump chamber prior to irrigation of said drainage tube, and a compression spring surrounding said valve plunger and engageable with said valve piston and valve body for automatically moving said valve piston and plunger away from said valve body following irrigation of said drainage tube.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

